Your Risk Profile

Before You Begin – Investing with Clarity and Conviction

At CCA Financial Planners, we don’t just help you invest—we help you understand your investment journey. That’s why before you complete this risk profile, it’s vital to have reviewed the 30-year Vanguard chart with your CCA-approved adviser.

This powerful visual tells a compelling story: markets rise and fall, but they recover—and those who stay the course often reap the greatest rewards.

From the sharp downturn following the 1987 crash through to the early 1990s recession, to the global financial crisis of 2007 and the low point in 2011, we’ve seen history repeat itself in cycles of challenge and recovery. These weren’t brief dips—they were extended bear runs lasting up to four years. But they weren’t the end of the story.

Investors who understood the pattern—and stayed invested—emerged stronger.

This context matters. It shapes how you view risk, resilience, and opportunity. Completing this risk profile isn’t just about how you feel today—it’s about anchoring your choices in a clear-eyed view of what markets do over time. With guidance from your adviser and a grounded understanding of history, you’ll be better placed to select an investment strategy that not only suits your goals, but that you can stick with—confidently.

When it comes to investing, we all have different attitudes towards risk. Whether you’re considering shares, property, fixed interest or cash, it’s important to think carefully about the level of risk associated with each investment—and how you feel about taking on that risk.

This includes how comfortable you are with the idea of losing money or experiencing significant fluctuations in returns from year to year. Your responses to this profile should reflect not just your tolerance for these scenarios, but also your willingness and ability to remain invested through them.

*If you are completing this with your spouse and/or partner and your answers differ, we recommend each of you complete an independent questionnaire to ensure both viewpoints are clearly represented.

1. How familiar are you with investment markets?

Very little understanding or interest

Not very familiar

Experienced enough to understand the importance of not ‘putting all your eggs in one basket'

I understand that markets may fluctuate and that different market sectors offer different income, growth and taxation characteristics

I am experienced with all investment classes and understand the various factors that may influence performance

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about investment markets

2. Have you ever invested a significant amount of money into an investment that fluctuates up and down in value? How did this make you feel?

Yes, the fluctuations made me very uncomfortable

Yes, the fluctuations made me quite uncomfortable

No, I have never invested in this type of investment

Yes, I was quite comfortable with the fluctuations

Yes, I was very comfortable with the fluctuations

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about market fluctuations

3. How would you describe your willingness to take financial risks?

Very low risk taker - I am not willing to take on any additional level of financial risk, even if there is the potential to gain a higher rate of return over the longer term

Low risk taker - I am willing to take on a slight level of financial risk, if there is the potential to gain a slightly higher rate of return above my bank account over the longer term

Average risk taker - I am willing to take on a moderate level of financial risk, if there is the potential to gain a moderate rate of return over the longer term

High risk taker - I am willing to take on a high level of financial risk, if there is the potential to gain a higher rate of return over the longer term

Very high risk taker -I am willing to take on a high level of financial risk including different lending/investment alternatives if there is the potential to gain a higher rate of return over the longer term

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about financial risks

4. Which is the most important to you in regards to investing?

I would prefer to preserve my capital and am willing to accept this may mean my investments will not keep up with inflation

I would prefer to preserve my capital. However, I would aim to achieve investment returns that keep up with inflation

I would be willing to accept low levels of fluctuation common to growth asset values in the short term, with the aim of achieving investment returns that marginally exceed inflation over the long term

I would be willing to accept moderate levels of fluctuation common to growth asset values in the short term, with the aim of achieving investment returns that exceed inflation over the long term

I would be willing to accept high levels of fluctuation common to growth asset values in the short term, with the aim achieving investment returns that significantly exceed inflation over the long term

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about investing

5. How much could your investment fall in value over a short term period before you feel uncomfortable?

I would be uncomfortable with any fall in the value of my investments

Up to a 5% fall in value

Up to a 10% fall in value

Up to a 25% fall in value

Up to a 50% fall in value

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about short term volatility

6. What would your reaction be if your portfolio value decreased substantially, mainly due to adverse market conditions?

Security of my capital is critical and I do not intend to take risks

I would cut my losses and transfer my funds to more secure investment sectors

I would be concerned, talk to my adviser and would wait to see if the investments improve

This was a risk I understood – I would leave my investments in place expecting performance to improve

I would invest more funds to take advantage of the lower unit/share prices expecting future growth

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel about market volatility in general

7. Which of the following best describes your general feeling after making a significant financial decision?

Very concerned about possible losses

Concerned about possible losses

Neutral. I would be slightly concerned about losses but also optimistic about potential gains

Optimistic about potential gains

Very optimistic about potential gains

Pick the answer that best describes how you feel making financial decisions

About You & Your Partner

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Age(Required)

Your Email(Required)

Your Partner's Name

First Last

Your Partner's Age

Your Partner's Email

Comments

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Talk to the CCA Financial Planners team today!

Give Us a Call | 1800 668 525 | Consultants Online to Help. 8:00am – 8:00pm, 7 Days a week.

Talk to the CCA Financial Planners team today!

Give Us a Call | 1800 668 525 | Consultants Online to Help. 8:00am – 8:00pm, 7 Days a week.

Before You Begin – Investing with Clarity and Conviction

About You & Your Partner

Talk to the CCA Financial Planners team today!

Talk to the CCA Financial Planners team today!

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